Ball bat

ABSTRACT

A ball bat having a body comprised of resin impregnated with five carbon and glass fiber socks, the body having a barrel, a taper portion and a handle portion, and a central cavity extending the length of the body. Additionally, an aluminum sleeve is press-fit along the inside of the barrel, and a flexible end cap is mounted within the end of the barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to athletic bats, and morespecifically to a softball bat comprised of fiber-impregnated resin forimproved hitting distance and reduced vibration.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Traditional athletic bats are comprised of wood or metal, whichare expensive and consume valuable natural resources. A disadvantage ofwood bats is that they frequently break during use and it is exceedinglydifficult to design such bats for consistent performance, given theirnatural material. Metal bats, while more durable, have the tendency totransmit vibration down the shaft to the hands of the user, makinghitting a ball an unpleasant experience.

[0005] Composite bats and related sporting goods are well known in therelated art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,976 which issued to T. N. Jones on Oct.15, 1985, discloses a reinforced plastic bat with a separate handlesection that is softer than the hitting section. Similarly, U.S. Pat.No. 4,569,521 which issued to A. W. Mueller on Feb. 11, 1986, disclosesa composite bat having a tapered aluminum spar encased in polyurethanefoam in order to provide exceptional stiffness while providing freedomfrom excessive vibrations.

[0006] Sports articles comprised of fiber-resin composites are also wellknown in the related art. One such invention, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,836,545, teaches a two-piece metallic and composite golf shaft. Thisinvention comprises a metallic tip that telescopingly fits into an uppercomposite section comprised of high-strength fibers such ascarbon-graphite. The two pieces are bonded together with high-strengthepoxy adhesive.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,745 which issued to Bohannon et al. on Jul.18, 1989, discloses a fiber-reinforced article such as a filament-woundbat or bowling pin formed from a thermoplastic resin. The articlecomprises at least three layers of fiber reinforcement sheets, thefibers comprised of material such as glass or carbon fiber. Each layercomprises fibers that either: circumferentially, longitudinally orhelically extend in relation to the article.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,247 which issued to C. Yeh on Jun. 5, 1990,discloses a fabrication method of a hollow racket made of carbon fiber.During this process, a hollow bat is made by coupling the mounting of afiber sleeve tube with the cutting of fiber-woven board. Additionally,adhesive agents are filled into the bat body and the segments of anair-blowing tube are adhered to the interior wall of the bat body, wherethe air is expelled during heating, thereby preventing cracking of thebat.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No., 5,409,214 which issued to D. C. Cook on Apr. 235,1995, discloses a baseball bat having a handle and a hitting portioncomprised of wood. The handle may be made of either metal or fibrouscomposites. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,027 which issued toChristian et al. on Mar. 5, 1996, discloses a reinforced hockey stickblade and method of making same. The blade is constructed of resinimpregnated with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, and may be placedonto the shaft of a hockey stick.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,158 which issued to Filice et al. on Jan. 14,1997, discloses a shock-attenuating ball bat having a handle thatextends into a taper portion and is nested within the barrel, the handleand the barrel separated by an elastomeric isolation union, therebyreducing shock transmitted from the barrel when a batter strikes a ball.The handle and/or the barrel may be comprised of fiber-impregnatedresin.

[0011] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,115 which issued to C. S. Baumon Apr. 29, 1997 discloses a composite bat with a cavitated core. Thebat has a cellulose outer layer covering a layer of fiber-reinforcedresin, which in turn surrounds a cavitated core that may also containfoam.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,908 which issued to Feeney et al. on Mar. 3,1998, discloses a composite bat with a metal barrel, and a method offabricating same. The bat has a frame having a recess and fabricated ofa composite material of fibers in a matrix binder. A metal sleeve isinserted over the recess of the frame, which forms a hitting surface.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,811 which issued to G. M. Bird on Apr. 28,1998, discloses a lightweight golf shaft having an inner and outerlayer, each composed of graphite fiber and cured epoxy resin. A middlelayer is composed of two foam half-forms or a single foam full form,thereby making the shaft lighter than conventional shafts. A method formaking this shaft is also disclosed.

[0014] French Patent No. 2,462,266 which issued to Technique du VerreTisse and was published on Feb. 13, 1981, discloses a laminated racquetshaft reinforced with parallel and crossed filaments lain up in separatelayers to maintain alignment of the shaft. These filaments may beconstructed of glass, boron, carbon, silica or aromatic polyamide.Additionally, French Patent No. 2,560,551 which issued to M. Verna andwas published on Sep. 6, 1985 discloses a method of making reinforcedplastic hollow articles by wrapping plain or resin-impregnated fibersabout a multi-piece mandrel and modifying the resultant form by means ofa press to obtain a taut profile with tight radial packing of the layersof fibers.

[0015] Japanese Patent No. 3,247,365 which issued to Mistubishi Rayon K.K. and was published on Nov. 5, 1991, discloses a composite batcomprising a foam core material covered by a back up pipe which is inturn covered by fiber-reinforced plastic. Finally, Japanese Patent No.564,671 which issued to Mizuno Corp. and was published on Mar. 19, 1993,discloses a fiber-reinforced plastic bat and method of making same. Anouter shell member is formed on a core which is given the shape of a batwhen reinforced fiber and thermoplastic resin fiber is wound about theshaft. The thermoplastic resin fiber is melted by heat and forms amatrix, thereby impregnating the reinforced fiber therein.

[0016] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularlyor in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.Thus, a ball bat solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention provides a bat having a body with a hollowcentral cavity and having a barrel, a taper portion and a handle. Thebody is comprised of resin impregnated with multiple (e.g., five)braid-woven socks, the socks being constructed of carbon fiber and glassfiber, some of the socks extending the length of the body, while othersof the socks extend the length of the barrel. This particularcomposition allows a slight deformation of the body, thereby creating atrampoline or springboard effect, adding to the velocity of a hit ball.

[0018] Additionally, an aluminum sleeve is press-fit inside the barrelin order to dissipate the kinetic energy when the ball impacts the bat,energy which would otherwise be transmitted down the shaft to sting thebatter's hands. Additionally, a flexible end cap is present on the endof the barrel to properly weight the bat, and to further aid in thedeformation of the body, thereby increasing the trampoline effect of thebat.

[0019] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to providea fiber-impregnated resin ball bat having the necessary strength towithstand the impact forces of a projectile, while providing atrampoline or springboard effect to for added velocity of theprojectile.

[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide a ball bat thateffectively dissipates the kinetic energy generated by a collision witha ball, without reducing the effectiveness of the bat.

[0021] It is a further object of the invention to provide a resinimpregnated bat that may be easily manufactured and marketed.

[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0023] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball bat according to thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the present invention,with a portion of the aluminum sleeve broken away and the end capexploded away.

[0026]FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale section view of the present inventiondrawn along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the fiber socks of the present invention.

[0028] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals representlike elements, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a bat 10 according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention. While a softball bat 10 is shown asthe preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited tosoftball bats and extends to similar articles such as baseball bats,drum sticks, billy clubs, walking sticks, cricket bats, field hockeysticks, furniture legs and the like.

[0030] The bat 10 consists of a body 12 having a hollow inner cavity 13,and is radially symmetrical about a center axis, the body further havinga barrel 14, a taper portion 16, and a handle portion 18. The barrel isconfigured to receive an end cap 19 and becomes progressively narrowerfrom the taper portion 16 through the handle portion 18, whichterminates in a knob end 20 integral to the handle portion. The knob end20 functions to ensure that the batter's hands stay on the bat 10 duringa swing.

[0031] While many prior art bats have knob ends that are either screwedon or welded on, the present invention has an integral knob end 20,greatly reducing the possibility of the knob falling off the handleportion 18, which would otherwise render the bat 10 unusable under the“Official Rules of Softball.” The handle; portion 18 may be wrapped withgrip material 22, commonly found in aluminum bats, to prevent handslippage when swinging the bat 10. The grip material 22 may be formed ofrubber, synthetic rubber, foam, tape or other suitable material.

[0032] The body 12 is comprised of a continuous resin matrix reinforcedwith a plurality of circumferentially-extending fiber socks 24, 26,shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the preferred embodiment, the resincomponents consist of Shell EPON® 826 epoxy resin, DuPont® DCH-99hardener, and DuPont DYTEK®-A flexiblizer, although other resincomponents may be used in alternative embodiments. Also, in thepreferred embodiment the fiber socks 24, 26 are cross woven and arecomprised of 60% glass fiber and 40% carbon fiber, although other typesof weaves and other fibers may be used in alternative embodiments.

[0033] This particular combination of resin components and fiber socks24, 26 results in a high-strength yet flexible body 12. When a ballimpacts the bat 10 during the batter's swing, the bat undergoes alocalized deformation conforming to the contact area of the ball, aswell as radial or hoop deformation (i.e., the cylindrical battemporarily deforms into an ovoid when viewed in cross section). Thisdeformation provides a springboard or trampoline effect which furtherenhances the hitting zone of the bat 10 and provides maximum velocity tothe ball when hit by the bat.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment, five fiber socks 24, 26 are used inthe body 12 of the bat 10 and are concentrically arranged within theresin matrix of the body. The five fiber socks 24, 26 comprise two outersocks 24 and three inner socks 26. The two outer socks 24 substantiallyextend the entire length of the body 12, while the three inner socks 26substantially extend the length of the barrel 14, as shown in FIG. 4.This configuration provides the bat 10 with ideal reinforcementproperties while at the same time saving weight.

[0035] Additionally, the preferred embodiment of the bat 10 has acylindrical metal sleeve 28 that is press-fit to the inner surface ofthe barrel 14. The sleeve 28 functions to dissipate vibration when theball is hit, thereby converting kinetic energy that would otherwise betransferred to the batter's hands in the form of “stinging”, into heatsubsequently lost to the environment. In reducing shock, the sleeve doesnot reduce the effectiveness of the bat 10 when the bat imparts animpulse on a ball, as elastomeric materials often do. The result is thatthe “sting” felt by the batter is reduced without adversely affectingthe batter's game.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve 28 is comprised ofaluminum, as this particular metal has ideal vibration-absorbingproperties, but alternative embodiments may utilize sleeves of othertypes of metals such as titanium and steel. Having a metal sleeve 28 onthe inside of the barrel 14 is more beneficial than having a metalsleeve on the outside of the barrel, as the modulus of elasticity ofmetal is greater than that of a resin matrix. Therefore when a ball ishit by a bat having a metal sleeve on the outside of the barrel, theball, rather than the bat, deforms, thereby increasing the aerodynamicdrag on the ball and resulting in reduced velocity of the ball. It istherefore more desirable to have a barrel having an outer surface ofresin matrix, which contributes to the aforementioned springboard ortrampoline effect of the bat 10.

[0037] The end cap 19 is comprised of urethane in the preferredembodiment, although end caps constructed of other flexible materialsmay be used in alternative embodiments. A urethane end cap 19, however,maximizes the above-described trampoline effect of the bat 10, allowingfurther deformation of the bat upon contact with a ball. The end capadditionally functions to provide the bat with the appropriate weight.

[0038] The method of forming the bat 10 will now be described. Thepreferred method of forming the bat is described in my copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/910,100, filed Aug. 13, 1997,incorporated herein by reference. This method comprises the steps ofconcentrically placing the plurality of fiber socks 24, 26 on aremovable mandrel. The mandrel is then placed into a press having anouter mold having an internal configuration corresponding to theexternal configuration of the body 12, whereupon void-free uncured resinis injected into the mold. The resin is then cured where it takes theform of the body 12, which is then removed from the mold. Thereafter,the cylindrical sleeve 28 is press-fit into inside surface of thebarrel. The end cap 19 is then molded in place in the end of the barrel14, and a high-gloss epoxy coating is given to the outside of the body12. Grip material 22 is then added to the handle portion 18.

[0039] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A ball bat comprising: a body comprising: a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending fiber layers impregnated in a resin matrix;a barrel having a proximal end and a distal end having an openingadapted to receive an end cap, said barrel further having an innersurface; a taper portion having a proximal end and a distal endterminating in said proximal end of said barrel; and a handle portionhaving a proximal end and a distal end terminating in said proximal endof said taper portion, said proximal end terminating in an integral knobend; and a central cavity extending along the length of the body.
 2. Theball bat according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of fiber layersimpregnated in a resin matrix comprise five fiber layers, the layerscomprising: two fiber outer layers extending from said distal end ofsaid barrel to said proximal end of said handle portion; and three fiberinner layers extending from said distal end of said barrel to saidproximal end of said barrel.
 3. The ball bat according to claim 1wherein said resin matrix comprises bisphenol a/epichlorohydrin-basedepoxy resin.
 4. The ball bat according to claim 1 further comprising aflexible end cap fixedly housed within said open distal end of saidbarrel.
 5. The ball bat according to claim 4 wherein said end cap iscomprised of material selected from the group consisting of rubber andplastic.
 6. The ball bat according to claim 1 further comprising ametallic sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outersurface of said sleeve engaging said inner surface of said barrel, saidsleeve providing a medium for vibration absorption when said barrelcomes into contact with a projectile.
 7. The ball bat according to claim6 wherein said metallic sleeve is made of material selected from thegroup consisting of steel, titanium, iron and aluminum.
 8. The ball bataccording to claim 2 wherein each said fiber layer is a cylindricalbraid-woven sock.
 9. The ball bat according to claim 2 wherein saidfiber layers are comprised of materials selected from the groupconsisting of carbon and glass.
 10. A ball bat comprising: a bodycomprising: a barrel having a proximal end and a distal end having anopening adapted to receive an end cap, said barrel further having aninner surface; a taper portion having a proximal end and a distal endterminating in said proximal end of said barrel; and a handle portionhaving a proximal end and a distal end terminating in said proximal endof said taper portion, said proximal end terminating in an integral knobend; a layer of five circumferentially-extending fiber braid-woven socksconcentrically arranged and impregnated in a resin matrix, two of saidfive fiber braid-woven socks extending from said distal end of saidbarrel to said proximal end of said handle portion, three of said fivefiber braid woven-socks extending from said distal end of said barrel tosaid proximal end of said barrel and concentrically disposed within saidtwo of said five fiber braid-woven socks. an elongated central cavityextending the length of the body; a flexible end cap fixedly housedwithin said open distal end of said barrel; and a metallic sleeve havingan inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface of said sleeveengaging said inner surface of said barrel, said sleeve providing amedium for vibration absorption when said barrel comes into contact witha projectile.